Larra bicolorFabricius (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae): its distribution throughout Florida

Authors

J. H. Frank, University of FloridaFollow
N. C. Leppla, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
R. K. Sprenkel, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL
A. C. Blount, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL
R. F. Mizell, III, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL

Date of this Version

1-2009

Comments

Published in INSECTA MUNDI: A Journal of World Insect Systematics, # 0063 (2008). Published by the Center for Systematic Entomology, Inc., Gainesville, FL. http://www.centerforsystematicentomology.org/ Copyright © 2009 by the authors.

Abstract

We document the presence of Larra bicolor Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) in 46 of Florida’s 67 counties. The species is represented by two stocks. The first (released in 1981) originated in Pará, Brazil, but was obtained from Puerto Rico, and became established in Broward County in southern Florida. The second (released in 1988) originated in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and became established in Alachua County in northern Florida. The Bolivian stock, aided by additional satellite releases from Alachua County, is now widely distributed. The species probably occupies all counties in central and northern Florida, but may yet be absent from some southern counties. Introduction was made for classical biological control of invasive mole crickets.